BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — If decorated trees don’t bring on the Christmas spirit, perhaps you should move in with The Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge.

Champ Clark Honey Shuck Restoration Inc. hopes its second annual Festival of Trees will get visitors in the mood for the season.

The event is part of Bowling Green’s “Christmas in the Green,” and takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 23, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22.

There is no admission charge and families are encouraged to bring children. The 136-year-old house is at 207 E. Champ Clark Drive, and tours will be available.

“It’s such a local treasure, and the Festival of Trees gives friends, neighbors and visitors a reason to not only enjoy the season, but appreciate our rich local history and the stunning array of trees assembled,” said Honey Shuck Board Member Julie Leverenz, who’s in charge of the event. “It’s Bowling Green’s own Hallmark movie!”

The Honey Shuck board is observing the 50th anniversary of Congressman William Hungate and his wife, Dorothy, buying the home and donating it for use as a museum.

Leverenz said the home has been “amazingly restored” and features a stunning array of exhibits about the Clarks, who lived there from 1898 until the 1930s.

There will be at least 22 trees displayed, and guests will have a chance to choose their favorites by donating one dollar for each vote.

Prairie’s Edge Garden Center was the fan favorite in 2023, and more then $1,000 was raised for upkeep of the home.

“Our participants this year range from local businesses and organizations whose trees boast a variety of themes to a beautiful 1880s feather tree with antique ornaments decorated by the executors of a local antique collector’s estate,” Leverenz said. “Trees have been decorated over the past few weeks and we hope to have all assembled soon so the remaining decorations, cleaning and prep of the home can be completed well before ‘Christmas in the Green.’”

Leverenz admits her own decorating skills aren’t the greatest, but said she’s “learned a great deal” by watching others work their magic for the Festival of Trees.

“I loved taking what I learned and then decorating my own home last year after ‘Christmas in the Green,’” she said. “We’ll see how that goes this year!”

Leverenz said she’s grateful to “all those who are contributing their time and creativity to add this feature to Bowling Green’s ‘Christmas in the Green,’ and to lift the holiday spirit of our community.”

There will be decorations outside Honey Shuck and Me Mee’s Pantry has again donated cookies for the event. Leverenz can be reached at jlev.joyinthefog@gmail.com.

 

CUTLINES FOR PHOTOS:

Linda Korte, left, and Liz Rosenburg decorate a German feather tree with antique ornaments for the second Champ Clark Honey Shuck Festival of Trees as part of “Christmas in the Green” Nov. 21 to 23.

 

Festival of Trees organizer Julie Leverenz says her own decorating skills have been enhanced by the event.